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| Date: | November 30, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen Statement on Legislative Auditors' Reports on Legacy Amendment |
St. Paul- The Legislative Audit Commission met Wednesday to release two reports from the Office of the Legislative Auditor related to the Legacy Amendment. The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment was passed by Minnesota voters in 2008 and distributes to four funds: 33 percent to the clean water fund; 33 percent to the outdoor heritage fund; 19.75 percent to the arts and cultural heritage fund; and 14.25 percent to the parks and trails fund. Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chair Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) who oversees all four Legacy funds made the following statement upon the reports’ release.
“When voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Constitutional Amendment, they expected the highest level of accountability. As chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee that oversees the Legacy funds, I will continue to uphold the voters’ intent and ensure that the funds are not being misused,” said Senator Ingebrigtsen.
The recent Legislative Auditor’s reports’ goals were to monitor the current organizational structures, processes and procedures that are in place to distribute the funds and hold them accountable.
“Once again, the reports prove that the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council is the model structure in overseeing the funds. The Council is user-friendly, transparent and accountable. While there were no glaring issues with the other funds, we must continue to monitor them and put procedures in place that ensures no conflicts of interests or bureaucratic policies are preventing the funds from reaching their desired intentions,” added Senator Ingebrigtsen.
While no problematic issues arose from the reports, the possibility of misuse remains. Senator Ingebrigtsen is committed to seeking out ways to ensure funds are spent properly through increased transparency and accountability.
“One potential issue could be the PCA’s administration of the Clean Water Council – the agency receives nearly a third of the funding and also administers the council. Last session, I introduced legislation that aimed to restructure the Clean Water Council by removing the PCA from its administration and creating independent oversight which would increase its transparency. I will continue to look for ways to improve the transparency and accountability of the Legacy funds and uphold the voters’ intent,” Senator Ingebrigtsen concluded.
Copies of the Legislative Auditor’s reports on the Legacy Amendment can be found here: http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/
